A day at the fair
Carol Szykowski sits with her friend and daughter on a bench in the Dairy Product Building at the Great New York State Fair. Behind her is a giant cow jumping over the moon, both made of butter. To her right are four silos of milk, and in front of her is a sign for colossal sundaes – something she couldn’t resist.
As she sits there holding a container filled with upwards of a quart of ice cream, she reminisced of the fair’s past.
‘I love the agricultural aspect like the animals and the farmers because that’s where this all started from and they’re really a part of the show,’ Szykowski said.
At 162 years old, the fair is one of the longest running in the country. When it first began, it showcased agricultural techniques and supplies to benefit the rural community. Today, the agriculture pairs with new exhibits during a 12-day event.
The fair is held at the 375-acre Empire Expo Center in Syracuse, and blends aspects of the traditional state fair, like agriculture and animals, with modern interests.
This year, the fair’s attendance grew to more than 58,035, surpassing the previous year’s turnout. New York Gov. David Paterson officially opened the fair Thursday with State Fair Director Dan O’Hara and State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker, before drinking a cup of milk at the Dairy Products Building.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was welcomed as the guest of honor Friday. Sen. Clinton toured the exhibits, including the livestock area, where rabbits and chickens are on display.
State Fair Rabbit Department employee Brenda Geller works with the Flemish Giant rabbits, which tend to be a popular attraction because they can weigh up to 20 pounds.
‘Everyone is fascinated and wants to pet the bunnies,’ Geller said.
She said she enjoys seeing the kinds of people who walk through the exhibit, especially people who visit from the cities.
‘Some people haven’t even seen a live chicken before so it’s fun to see those people come,’ she said.
Geller has been working at the Fair for several years. She keeps coming back for the animals and to see international exhibits like the Pan-African area, a popular attraction.
‘I really enjoyed the black history exhibit,’ said Judy Cleary, a Syracuse native who has been attending the fair for almost 40 years. ‘It was the first time I ever saw anything like it. It was nice being exposed to a part of history that wasn’t a part of my history class back in school.’
Cleary said she always likes the fair and takes her grandchildren to see the new exhibits. She has seen the Lumberjack expo and the BMX bike show several times but is eager to try anything, including the food.
‘I’ve tried both fried alligator and fried kangaroo,’ she said. ‘I very much enjoy it here, and I think it’s a great deal for the price.’
Published on August 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm
